Annie Lee Sims

Annie Leitha Thigpen Sims, age 88 began her eternal life on January 20, 2018 at the Heritage Home in Florence, South Carolina. Mrs. Sims was born in Hebron, South Carolina on August 26, 1929, the oldest child of the late Ofell and Luther Thigpen. She completed high school which was 11 years at that time at Hebron School. She was a wife, a mom, a granny, a sister, a sister-in-law, an Aunt, a cousin, and a friend. She was a Christian woman, a country woman, a farm wife, a homemaker, and an animal lover. She was a seamstress, and sewed clothes, crafts, and did alterations. She enjoyed gardening, and she planted vegetables and flower gardens. She also loved gospel music, and loved to fish. She was married to Ray Sims on December 28, 1947 and they were married for 47 1/2 years, and they lived all those years in the Olanta area. She worked with him on the family farm where they farmed tobacco, corn, and soybeans; they then retired from farming, and rented the farm to the Norwood Floyd family who still farms it today. Mrs. Sims and her husband Ray then ran a country store near their home for some years. They were known for having top grade meats and cutting steaks to customers requests, and also for their homemade sausage; they worked together and retired together. She is a member, and attended Bethany Free Will Baptist Church near Timmonsville with her children until they were grown. She and Ray then attended New Town Free Will Baptist Church when they were older because it was close to their home. She was active and always involved with Bible school and the Ladies circle meetings. A few years after Ray passed away, Mrs. Sims moved to Laurel Gardens in Florence in 2000. She was involved with whatever activities were going on there, she welcomed and oriented new residents, and planted vegetables and flowers at the facility. She had an article written on gardening when she was 73 years young in the News Journal and the Golden Life Magazine during the time she lived there. Her little Poodle/Shihtzu mix named 'Zoe' was adopted from a Rescue and became her very special companion during her time at Laurel Gardens. She was by her side, in her lap, and later riding on the seat of her roller walker. Mrs. Sims had many enjoyable years at Laurel Gardens. Due to her decline both physically and mentally, she moved to the Heritage Home in 2010 on Warley Street in Florence. Surviving are her children, Brenda Burch of Charleston, Ann Sims Bossert (Paul) of Morganton, N.C., and Ray Sims, Jr. (Lisa) of Lake City. Three grandchildren; Brenda has a son Alex Hancock (Angie) of Timmonsville, and Sam Burch (Helen) of Columbia. Ray has a daughter Nicole Sims of Florence; four great grandchildren, Alex and Angie have Josh and Emilee, and Sam and Helen have Analee and Alexa. A sister, Bernice Robinson (Arthur) from Turbeville, and many special nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Sims was preceded in death by her first born infant son; her brothers, H.L. Thigpen and Harold Thigpen; a sister, Ethel Thigpen Smith, and also her canine companion, 'Zoe'. A celebration service of birth, life, death, and eternal life will be held in the chapel of Floyd Funeral Home in Olanta, located at 136 East Main Street in Olanta, S.C. on Wednesday, January 24th, 2018 at 3pm with visitation there prior to service at 2pm. Burial at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery near Timmonsville. Fellowship with family and food will take place at the fellowship hall (4071 Creek Road, Timmonsville, S.C. 29161) after the graveside service. The family will be using House of Flowers, 926 North Sally Hill Road, Timmonsville, S.C. 29161. Their phone number is 843-346-7376. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tamassee DAR School, 1925 Bumgardner Drive, Tamassee, S.C. 29686 or to Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend a sincere special thanks to Mrs. Sims staff on the Warley Wing at the Heritage Home and also to Drs. Duncan Tyson and J.P. Booth for many years of excellent care. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Annie Lee Sims please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Bethany Free Will Baptist Olanta Highway Timmonsville, SC 29102 [emailprotected] Visitation JAN 24. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EST) Floyd Funeral Home 136 East Main Street Olanta, SC 29114 [emailprotected] https://floydfuneral.com Service JAN 24. 3:00 PM (EST) Floyd Funeral Home 136 East Main Street Olanta, SC 29114 [emailprotected] https://floydfuneral.com